Amped-up nonsense that nevertheless entertains due to a mix of high style, strong performances and strong atmosphere, the latest Robert Rodriguez special (directed, wrote, did the visual effects, cinematography, editing, produced, wrote the music and probably about a hundred other things) is the end of the "Mariachi" trilogy. The first was the director's ultra low-budget "El Mariachi", the $7,000 film that earned the director notice. "Desperado" was a $20 million film that went on to be a success. With "Once Upon a Time in Mexico", Rodriquez still shows that he can make a big film while keeping costs in check at $30m.

"Mexico" continues the story of El Mariachi (Antonio Banderas), the gunslinger with the guitar case. Johnny Depp plays rouge (or maybe not rogue) CIA agent Sands, who has come to find the Mariachi to recruit him to kill General Marquez (Gerardo Vigil), who is working with drug lord Barillo (Willem Dafoe) to destablize the country's government. So, the Mariachi returns with his group of assassins (including one played by pop star Enrique Iglesias). The Mariachi's reason for taking the job isn't just the money, it's revenge on the man who killed his wife, Carolina (Salma Hayek) - the General. There's other characters that weave themselves in-and-out of the picture, including a special agent (Eva Mendes) and another criminal (Mickey Rourke).

The plot is a mess of strings that sort of run together well enough that one can understand the basic overview. What's more fun about the picture are the performances. Johnny Depp once again steals the show after "Pirates of the Caribbean", offering a similarly Looney Tunes performance. Depp starts a Marlon Brando impersonation in one scene for no reason other than it's weird and kinda funny. Another brief line will likely come across as a nod to his "Pirates" role. Banderas offers a commanding performance as usual, stepping back into the shoes of the largely silent Mariachi quite skillfully. Dafoe and Rourke are good as the villians, and Mendes, Hayek and many others provide good supporting efforts.

As previously mentioned, Rodriquez manages to do seemingly everything but act in the picture. The cinematography - shot with new hi-def digital video cameras, is easily the most visually stunning of the director's efforts, capturing the dusty towns and their surroundings with almost haunting beauty. The editing is fine, although the action sequences seem to be a bit more heavily edited than the director's prior features. And certainly, he's no stranger to action sequences, once again coming up with some inventive ones, captured with the director's usual energy and eye for over-the-top visuals.

The film's story is - I think - a potentially interesting one that just isn't told as coherently as it could have been here. Aside from that, this is an entertaining, fast-paced picture that has several terrific moments and throws great characters up against one another in an atmospheric setting.

Final Thoughts: The story's a bit of a mess, but I liked the performances, was involved throughout and throught "Once" had great atmosphere and visuals. Columbia/Tristar's DVD edition offers outstanding image quality, great supplements and superb audio. Recommended.